separation

1 the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the separation of Norway and Sweden into two independent nations in 1905 Synonyms bifurcation, breakup, cleavage, dissolution, disunion, division, fractionalization, fractionation, partition, schism, scission, split, sundering Related Words breach, rupture; divorce, severance; decomposition, disassembly, dismemberment, segmentation, subdivision; atomization, dichotomization, polarization; diffusion, dispersal, dispersion, scattering; administration, apportionment, distribution; isolation, seclusion, segregation, sequestration Near Antonyms assemblage, association; attachment, conjunction, connection, link, linkage, linkup; aggregation, combination, consolidation, fusion Antonyms unification, union

2 the state of being kept distinct the separation of church and state is an important concept in the United States Synonyms demarcation, discreteness, discrimination, distinction Related Words differentiation; isolation, segregation Near Antonyms blurring, confusion

3 a movement in different directions away from a common point a sudden separation of the herd of deer when they were startled Synonyms bifurcation, divarication, divergency, divergenceRelated Words difference, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissidence, dissimilarity, distinction, distinctiveness, distinctness, diversity, unlikenessNear Antonyms accord, agreement; likeness, similarityAntonyms convergence

4 an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) the narrow separation between posts in the fence Synonyms breach, break, discontinuity, gulf, hiatus, hole, interstice, interval, opening, rent, rift, gap, voidRelated Words chink, cleft, crack, cranny, crevice, fissure; notch, slit, slot, split; interspace, pore; abyss, aperture, cavity, chasm, gape, orifice; fracture, rupture, severance, sundering

5 the act or process of two or more persons going off in different directions friends who dreaded the inevitable separation after graduation Synonyms farewell, leave-taking, partingRelated Words departure, egress, exit, exiting, exodus, going, leaving, quitting, running away; decamping, decampment, flight, withdrawal; abandonment, desertion, forsakingNear Antonyms reunion; arrival, greeting, salutation, welcome; gathering, joining, meeting

6 something that divides, separates, or marks off a filing cabinet with lots of adjustable separations Synonyms divider, partition, division, separatorRelated Words barrier, fence, wall; border, boundary, limit